What is friction in military operations and how does C2 mitigate it?

• A. Friction is the uncertainty and resistance to plans; C2 mitigates with redundancy, flexibility, and rapid replanning.
• B. Friction is excessive wear on equipment; C2 mitigates with maintenance.
• C. Friction is environmental interference only; C2 mitigates with weather teams.
• D. Friction is enemy fog-of-war and resistance to plan; C2 eliminates it entirely.

Answer: (D)

Friction in military operations is the uncertainty, confusion, and resistance that disrupt plans—fog of war, unexpected changes, miscommunications, and enemy actions that make execution harder. C2 helps by shaping how information flows and decisions are made so forces can adapt quickly. It provides redundancy, flexibility, and the ability to replan rapidly, improving shared understanding and allowing subordinate units to act on initiative within the command intent. But friction isn’t something you can erase completely; there will always be unknowns and disturbances. So the idea that C2 can eliminate friction entirely isn’t realistic. Friction is broader than just equipment wear or weather effects, and while C2 reduces its impact, it cannot remove it entirely.